Leea is living the dream with her own beauty business

We love to hear about our students' successes once they've finished college - particularly when they are living their dreams.

Leea Brett, now running her own beauty business, started studying Beauty Therapy with us in 2017. She had always aspired to work in the beauty industry, and while at college, she made that dream a reality by setting up her own business.

Three years and half a dozen qualifications later, the former Ratton school student is a highly-skilled and highly-qualified therapist - working out of her treatment room at home.

The second lockdown meant that Leea had to pause her treatments, but that gave us an opportunity to catch up with her to see how she's getting on and find out about her time at college.

"Going into Beauty was one of the best choices I've ever made! I'm only 19, but I've worked abroad and have my own successful business! I'd definitely say that my time at East Sussex College Hastings has played a massive part in this!

I'd consider myself very lucky because, since I was about five years old, I've known what I wanted to do as a career. I know lots of young people don't really know what they want to do in the future, but I'm proof that you can turn your passion into your dream job.

Picking a college course wasn't hard - I knew it would be Beauty, but deciding where to study was a little more tricky. But everything about Hastings Station Plaza impressed me. Everyone was so friendly and having the opportunity to train in the incredible spa treatment facilities sold it to me.

I joined in September 2017 and spent three years absorbing all the knowledge and qualifications I could. I started on Level 2, completed Level 3, completed one-day courses, and achieved a Level 4 qualification in Micropigmentation.

I went to school in Eastbourne, so I had to travel to Hastings each day. I learnt so much over the three years, about all sorts of treatments, but perhaps even more importantly, how to present myself, conduct myself, and care for my clients. Even the travelling helped me to develop as a person. I grew in confidence and gained independence from day one.

I had some incredible experiences while at college. Guest speakers from high-end skincare companies, such as Eve Taylor and Dermalogica, would come into college and explain about their brands to help us use the products to their full potential. I visited Dermalogica HQ in Leatherhead to train in Dermalogica facials. It was an incredible learning experience, and something I'd love to do again.

One of the standout things was working abroad in Spain for a month! I had the chance to work and live in Seville for four weeks doing what I loved and seeing so much history and culture. It was a truly incredible experience.

My tutors were amazing, and I'm not just saying it! Andrea really helped me through my first year. She is so lovely, down to earth, and really cares about you as a person, not just your grades. She was always there for any questions whether they were Beauty related or personal, and she pushed me in the right direction when I nearly gave up. For that, I am so grateful!

Mia taught me on the Level 4 Micropigmentation course, and I got on so well with her. She is very understanding and helped me a lot throughout my studies. I still message her to ask questions, and even though I've left college, she always takes the time to help me. Mia was also a big help in me starting my business.

I can't forget Trisha either. In my first year of college, I thought that she was always on my case. But looking back I realised that she really believed in me and was just pushing me to be even better. She helped me to learn a lot about myself and get me to where I am now.

Now, I have my own successful business, I have my very own beauty room at home (thanks to my dad), and it's going really well. My three years at college has meant I can offer a wide range of treatments. Of course, lockdown has put this on hold, but I am doing what I love, it is a dream come true, and that makes me so happy.

My advice to anyone thinking of going into Beauty would be: do it - but only if you love it. I know a lot of people who took Beauty as 'the easy option', and it isn't. It is hard work, but it's so worth it! Beauty really is one of those things where the more you put in, the more you get out."

Follow Leea's Beauty page on Facebook and Instagram, and why not book yourself in for a treatment when she re-opens.